Mod/package version checker?

Started by TurtleKicker, May 12, 2022, 09:23:17 PM

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TurtleKicker

OK I'm sure this has been asked before, but I did a search and couldn't find any threads, which surprised me. So here it is:

Why isn't there functionality in SMF where installed mods hook back to their thread to check the installed version against the latest version, with indicators at index.php?action=admin;area=packages ? This would make staying up-to-date a lot easier.

Arantor

Mostly because that would require quite a bit more infrastructure to be built and maintained.

And for people like me, it would be a waste of resources since most of the SMF sites I've ever run use mods that are not off the shelf. Plus anyone who uses paid mods...
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Arantor

Not to mention, now that I think about it, for the sites that have 200 mods it would make the package manager straight up unusable.
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vbgamer45

I kind of would like to see it even if paid mods/internals mods not supported. Something that allows maybe a background task in SMF to submit the package id's for the mods. Then check that latest version number on smf.org for those packages. And display an alert/badge in the admin. Kind of what wordpress does. Infrastructure changes might need to happen though due to the volume of requests.

Also, wished that the SMF updates were featured in a bigger way. On the front end of the site for admins if their is a new SMF update. I think that would lead more people to keeping SMF updating instead of them having to check via the admin interface.
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TurtleKicker

I suppose this could be done with a mod itself? I don't even mind manually entering in the URL for each mod (to be scraped for the version) as part of the setup. I don't think that's baked into the mod anywhere anyway...?

This could allow people w/ lots of mods to maintain performance by only entering the URLs for those mods that they cared about. Only those w/ URLs entered would be monitored.

vbgamer45

Was thinking about that. Scraping each page on the mod site to get package id and version number Then store that in a db. Last, compare against that db. Would prefer an official solution or api though.
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live627

Quote from: vbgamer45 on May 13, 2022, 01:37:28 PMWas thinking about that. Scraping each page on the mod site to get package id and version number Then store that in a db. Last, compare against that db. Would prefer an official solution or api though.
Are you partially describing the package server?

vbgamer45

#7
Yes. I forgot we could actually just fetch packages.xml data since that has everything it just have to loop over each category.


If not one makes I might try at some point. Here is what I am thinking.

Something along the lines of having a website with a database  using packages.xml information from smf.org downloaded once a day or so.


Then the mod for the forums would do the following:
Add a scheduled task that would run once a day. Which passes the installed mods ie packageid, version, smf version of the forum to the  website.
The website would returned the current version of the mods for each. Log and store any mods that have a different version.

Then Display in the admin area directly that there are updates. Or maybe even on the forum boardindex.


Also, add a button in the package manager area to "Check for Updates for packages"  and displaying which mods have updates.Then link to mod page as well.
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live627

Someone could makes a mod that adds as scheduled task that scans the xml for installed mods, compares versions, and adds a section to the package manager that lists all updates, offering a button to update if the mod supports it.

Antechinus

Quote from: vbgamer45 on May 13, 2022, 09:53:40 AMAlso, wished that the SMF updates were featured in a bigger way. On the front end of the site for admins if their is a new SMF update. I think that would lead more people to keeping SMF updating instead of them having to check via the admin interface.

That's a good idea. It could easily be done like the existing maintenance mode notice for admins.

TBH I think the upgrade notices should be more distinctive even in admin. It's almost like someone was trying to make them ignorable by default (and it has been like that since 1.1.x).

vbgamer45

#10
Quote from: live627 on May 13, 2022, 11:46:37 PMSomeone could makes a mod that adds as scheduled task that scans the xml for installed mods, compares versions, and adds a section to the package manager that lists all updates, offering a button to update if the mod supports it.
@live267 looks harder than I thought the package server only returns the last 50 mods in each category and doesn't look like it has paging support. Might have to do a scrape which isn't ideal.

Have some other comments on the package server browser for future updates:

Incorrect total mod number is shown on the main page that lists all the categories.
List what versions a mod is for. If not for current version give emulate option. instead of just the link. Little confusing right now since the mod is listed but doesn't say version.
Option to return to main category when inside a category
Option to do a search for mod
Whats the point of showing the total number of mods in a category if you can only see 50 max per category.




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TurtleKicker

I just wanted to pop in again to say that I greatly appreciate that my question/suggestion has sparked so much interest from high-level devs. SMF is not the most-popular forum software out there so seeing this sort of support gives me warm fuzzies. Thank you.

vbgamer45

Was able to make the database of mods with versions and have that automated. Need to work on the version check mod itself next
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vbgamer45

Have built the first version for SMF 2.1 attached with some screenshots.
You can beta test. If you have any updates/features.

Notes: adds a updates section in browse packages area. With a button to check for updates.
If there are updates it also shows them in the main admin dashboard.
A scheduled task runs once a day to check for updates.


The api backend I call smf.org twice a day for latest mod update versions/information.
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Steve

Haven't tried it yet but I do want to note that maybe the column headings could be changed to Mod Name - Current Version - Latest Version (which of course means swapping two columns).

Just an idea.
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vbgamer45

Yeah wasn't sure which way to go in terms of column order.

Sill undecided on the right name for this mod/project.
 
Latest version to test attached.
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peter_mein

If i download an update mod i get this error from smf.
You cannot download or install packages because the package
directory or files contained therein cannot be overwritten!


vbgamer45

Quote from: peter_mein on May 26, 2022, 12:20:50 PMIf i download an update mod i get this error from smf.
You cannot download or install packages because the package
directory or files contained therein cannot be overwritten!


I get that too. Thought it was my install.
But I think it's a bug with SMF's package server download code in 2.1

Can anyone else confirm? How to check  try to download a mod package though's smf's package server via the add new package interface when you browse  Simple Machines Third-party Mod Site
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Shades.

Quote from: vbgamer45 on May 26, 2022, 12:25:30 PMCan anyone else confirm? How to check  try to download a mod package though's smf's package server via the add new package interface when you browse  Simple Machines Third-party Mod Site
I get this on every mod I've tried so far:
QuoteYou cannot download or install new packages because the Packages directory, or one of the files in it, is not writable!
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Doug Heffernan

Quote from: Shades. on May 26, 2022, 12:31:57 PMYou cannot download or install new packages because the Packages directory, or one of the files in it, is not writable!

Same thing here as well.

vbgamer45

Do you guys get that when trying to install a package. When browsing from package server "Simple Machines Third-party Mod Site "
Under Add Packages? Because I get the same error for that.

Just want to confirm since then it would be an SMF bug.
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Shades.

Quote from: vbgamer45 on May 26, 2022, 12:36:08 PMDo you guys get that when trying to install a package. When browsing from package server "Simple Machines Third-party Mod Site "
Under Add Packages? Because I get the same error for that.

Just want to confirm since then it would be an SMF bug.
Yes!
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vbgamer45

Thanks that's what I needed to know will file a bug report.
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Doug Heffernan

Quote from: vbgamer45 on May 26, 2022, 12:36:08 PMDo you guys get that when trying to install a package. When browsing from package server "Simple Machines Third-party Mod Site "
Under Add Packages? Because I get the same error for that.

Just want to confirm since then it would be an SMF bug.

I can confirm it as well.

vbgamer45

Yeah looks like an issue with the SMF mod site. I can download via my own package server on smfhacks.com
Logged internal ticket since I think this a customize site issue.
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Shades.

Also under "Package servers - SMF Downloads Server" when clicking on "Location of file:  https://download.simplemachines.org/browse.php?api=v1;smf_version=2.1.2/smf_2-1-2_patch.tar.gz" I get:

QuoteThis XML file does not appear to have any style information associated with it. The document tree is shown below.
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TurtleKicker

Re: column names, I also agree that "Old Version" probably isn't the right wording.

Instead: "Installed Version", "Your Version" "$forumname's Version"
And then: "Latest version", "Mod site version", "Available version"

I also fancy status "lights"/orbs for each mod. Like, green if installed version is current, or red/orange/yellow if there's an update available. Or the text could be green if "Current!" or orange/red if "Update available!" Nice visual indicator and colorful incentive.

Just tossing out ideas. :)

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